Editing Ricki Lake (1993 talk show)

{{Short description|American television talk show}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2012}}
{{about|the series that aired 1993–2004|the series that began airing in 2012|The Ricki Lake Show (2012 talk show)}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Ricki Lake (Sony Pictures Television) logo.svg
| caption              = 
| runtime              = 45 to 60 minutes
| creator              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Garth Ancier]]
* Gail Steinberg
}}
| presenter            = [[Ricki Lake]]
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 11
| num_episodes         = 2,420
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Garth Ancier|The Garth Ancier Company]]
* [[Columbia Pictures Television|Columbia Pictures Television Distribution]] {{small|(1993–1995) (seasons 1–2)}}
* [[Columbia TriStar Television|Columbia TriStar Television Distribution]] {{small|(1995–2001) (seasons 2–9)}}
* [[Columbia TriStar Television|Columbia TriStar Domestic Television]] {{small|(2001–2002) (seasons 9–10)}}
* [[Sony Pictures Television]] {{small|(2002–2004) (seasons 10–11)}}
}}
| network              = [[Broadcast syndication|Syndication]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1993|9|13}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2004|5|21}}
}}

'''''Ricki Lake'''''{{efn|The show is sometimes referred to as '''''The Ricki Lake Show'''''.}} is an American [[Broadcast syndication|first-run syndicated]] [[talk show]] that was hosted by [[Ricki Lake]]. The show ran for eleven seasons from September 13, 1993, to May 21, 2004, in which it broadcast 2,420 episodes. Taped at [[Chelsea Studios]], the show was primarily formatted as a [[tabloid talk show]]. It featured single-issue [[panel discussion]]s with everyday people, in which the guests discussed their personal experiences. These topics were often centered on [[relational transgression]]s. Lake moderated these discussions and an emphasis was placed on audience engagement.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Shopping In Syndication Hell |work=Newsweek |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/106403 |access-date=2010-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1995-03-05 |title=Ricki Lake: bigger than Oprah? The 26-year-old talk-show prodigy talks to Hester Lacey |work=Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ricki-lake-bigger-than-oprah-the-26yearold-talkshow-prodigy-talks-to-hester-lacey-1610044.html |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Winslow |first=Harriet |date=1994-01-18 |title=They Get Passing Grades at Talk-Show U |work=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-18-ca-12903-story.html |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shattuc |first=Jane M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZJIAwAAQBAJ&q=ricki+lake&pg=PT155 |title=The Talking Cure: TV Talk Shows and Women |date=April 4, 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136656798 |via=Google Books}}</ref>

==Format==
The show specialized in sensationalist topics involving invited guests and incorporated questions and comments from a studio audience. But unlike most of the counterparts of the day, her [[Target audience|primary audience]] was aimed at teenagers, young adults, college students, and urban viewers (who described themselves as "Generation X") rather than the 25+ audience that advertisers were catering to, plus it was less sensational and tamer compared to the other programs. It was taped at the [[Chelsea Studios]] in New York City.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 30, 1995 |title=TALKING TRASH |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982389,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100502111140/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,982389,00.html |archive-date=May 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Gen-X Cinderella has the knack |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1999/02/28/gen-x-cinderella-has-the-knack-ricki-lake-knows-what-its-like-to-be-way-outside-the-norms-of-beauty-and-she-knows-what-its-like-to-be-down-and-out-and-thats-a-large-part-of-her-talk-show-appeal/ |access-date=2012-04-11}}</ref> During an interview on ''[[A Spoonful of Paolo]]'', Lake stated that she almost signed up to do the show for only $5,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricki Lake Almost Did Her Original Talk Show for $5,000 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/tv-news/ricki-lake-almost-did-her-original-talk-show-for--5-000-170029712.html |website=yahoo.com|date=May 30, 2014 }}</ref>

A majority of the shows had surprises waiting in store for the guests, which were revealed by a doorbell ringing if a guest didn't come clean about themselves. This prompted Ricki to bring out another guest who knew the truth about the primary guest's intentions. At times, the guests would find out that someone else had been listening to their confession while they were on stage or in the audience. On one show in 1997 for example, a man who admitted to having an affair was unaware that his wife was on stage. The doorbell (and other surprises) were a major part of the series throughout its run.

==Production==
===Conception and development===
[[File:Jane Pratt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|alt=See caption|[[Jane Pratt]]'s talk show was retooled into ''Ricki Lake''.]]

In 1992, television producers [[Garth Ancier]] and Gail Steinberg conceived the idea of a talk show that targeted young adults.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/24/garden/at-dinner-with-ricki-lake-half-the-weight-and-on-the-rise.html |title=Half the Weight and on the Rise |last=Degen |first=Peter |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=November 24, 1993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304220741/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/24/garden/at-dinner-with-ricki-lake-half-the-weight-and-on-the-rise.html |archive-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref> It materialized as ''Jane'', a show hosted by ''[[Sassy (magazine)|Sassy]]'' editor [[Jane Pratt]] that focused on young and explicit topics.<ref name="variety">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1992/tv/news/ricki-you-join-talk-war-100453/ |title='Ricki,' 'You' join talk war |last1=Huff |first1=Richard |last2=Benson |first2=Jim |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 10, 1992 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> It received a 13-week trial run on [[WNYW]]; however, it was not renewed or picked up for [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]].<ref name="chicagotribune">{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/04/25/learning-to-talk-3/ |title=Learning to Talk |last=Beroset Diamond |first=Deborah |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 25, 1993 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Ancier claimed that ''Jane''{{'}}s production company, [[20th Television|20th Century Fox]], liked the show's format although not Pratt as host.<ref name="chicagotribune"/> As a result, Ancier searched for a new host for the show.<ref name="nytimes"/> Over 100 women auditioned for the role and the finalists included [[Veronica Webb]], [[Melissa Rivers]], and [[Ricki Lake]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-04-ca-31589-story.html |title=Upstarts Want to Break the TV Talk-Show Mold |last=Arkush |first=Michael |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 4, 1993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606222243/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-04-ca-31589-story.html |archive-date=June 6, 2024}}</ref><ref name="nytimes"/> According to Steinberg, producers wanted "someone who's young but someone who has enough of a world view to bring some understanding to a range of topics. When we met Ricki, we felt all of that immediately."<ref name="chicagotribune2">{{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/12/05/talk-time/ |title=Talk Time |last=Davis |first=Bridget |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=December 5, 1993 |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> Most of ''Jane''{{'}}s production staff was retained for Lake's show, which Ancier described as ''Jane'' with a new host.<ref name="variety"/><ref name="chicagotribune"/>

===Topic selection===
The show's premiere featured the topic "I'm Getting Married But I Haven't Met My Husband Yet".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1993/voices/columns/chevy-gets-into-the-latenite-chase-1117862259/ |title=Chevy gets into the latenite chase |last=Archerd |first=Army |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 13, 1993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205232526/https://variety.com/1993/voices/columns/chevy-gets-into-the-latenite-chase-1117862259/ |archive-date=February 5, 2025}}</ref>

During the series' run, its primary focus was on dealing with personal subjects like parenting skills (including single mothers who are accused of having the lack of experience of taking care of children), romantic relationships (both marital and non-marital), LGBT issues (like discrimination, same-sex couples who want to have children or straight people attracted to a person who is LGBT or the other way around), racism and prejudice (even within their own race and gender), interracial relationships, family discord, revealing secrets, and social topics of the day (like money, looking for work or being on welfare).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Local psychologist gets to ply trade in 'Ricki Lake' TV episode on teens |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2000/10/18/local-psychologist-gets-to-ply-trade-in-ricki-lake-tv-episode-on-teens/ |access-date=2012-04-11}}</ref> At times she had lighter shows, ranging from contests (including female impersonators, beauticians, or those who want to prove to others that they do have talent), celebrity guests, and reunions, to granting viewers' personal wishes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The low road to talk TV |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1994/11/29/the-low-road-to-talk-tv/ |access-date=2012-04-11}}</ref>

Lake's talk show sometimes covered serious topics, including domestic violence ("Bad Men, Desperate Woman"), homeless people who live in the NYC subway system ("The Catacomb People") and "Teens on Death Row". Lake also took on shows that dealt with women who were members of the [[Ku Klux Klan]], and during a show involving [[marijuana]], she learned that three guests were using the substance just moments before they walked on to the set to be interviewed by her.

One of Lake's most memorable and controversial confrontations happened during the first season, when she found herself dealing with Reverend [[Fred Phelps]] in a show that involved targeting anyone who carries the AIDS virus and why they deserve to die. (Phelps and his followers from [[Westboro Baptist Church]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]] had been picketing at funerals for AIDS victims across the United States, leading to several states to enact laws prohibiting or restricting groups from coming within a certain distance of the funerals.) When Phelps and his son-in-law tried to take over the set, a furious and insulted Lake ordered the Phelps family to leave the studio. During the commercial break, the two were forced off the set by the producers and escorted out of the building by security.<ref>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/12/06/respect-earns-ricki-lake-success-on-tv/ "Respect earns Ricki Lake success on TV"] from ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' (December 6, 1993)</ref> After Phelps died on March 19, 2014, Lake tweeted on her [[Twitter]] page that when he was on the show he told her that she worshipped her rectum on camera, which led to Lake taking action off-stage to force Phelps off the show after that remark.<ref>[https://twitter.com/RickiLake/status/446772962150989824 Twitter message] from Lake (March 20, 2014)</ref> The series also experienced controversy after an episode titled "I'm Angry Because People Think I'm Gay" was taped, in which the audience became "increasingly hostile" and made many "inappropriate remarks."<ref name="eweekly">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1994/04/08/ricki-lake-criticized-gay-attack/|title=Ricki Lake criticized for gay attack|last=Gerosa|first=Melina|date=April 8, 1994|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|language=en-US|access-date=July 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524163704/https://ew.com/article/1994/04/08/ricki-lake-criticized-gay-attack/|archive-date=May 24, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The media monitoring organization [[GLAAD]] attempted to prevent the episode from airing.<ref name="eweekly"/>

===Guest and audience recruitment===
The methodology for securing guests on the show, common to many shows similar to it, was as such: Producers would brainstorm and come up with a show title or theme. During an aired episode of the program spots would run for shows in pre-production. The goal was to recruit persons who may have a situation in their life that fits with the proposed topic. Hotline messages would be screened and the most promising prospects would be contacted by a production assistant. The potential guest would be interviewed about their situation. Guests chosen to appear on the show were booked airfare to New York City, brought to the television studio and sent to specific "[[green room]]s", inside which they were briefed in more detail on how the show would be taped. One of the producers then sat down with each guest to reiterate the story, including emphasis on various phrases or statements the guest might have made during pre-interviews. Guests were given an appearance and confidentiality contract to sign and installments were recorded in real-time, which took approximately 80 minutes to complete. Lake came into the audience for taped segments and, during the paused portion (where commercial breaks were inserted), she left the audience to consult with producers. The final show was aired approximately one month later. However, if the guest (or guests) lied to the producers prior to coming on air, they were forced off the set and their travel arrangements cancelled. This happened twice during the show's run, and both events aired.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbgp-hdjtU ("I'll Dump My Honey For A Guy With Money!"; 2000)</ref><ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qeboiwQFFfs&feature=youtu.be ("Summer Secrets!"; 2000)</ref>

==Broadcast history and release==
The show was also popular in other countries, especially in the [[United Kingdom]], where it aired on [[Channel 4]], and was aired daily on [[ITV2]], until 2009, as well as in [[Australia]], where the show was screened on three channels: the [[Seven Network|Seven]] (1997–2002), [[Network 10|Ten]] (1994–1997) and pay TV-exclusive [[W Channel (Australia)|W Channel]] (2002–2004). The show was also successful in the [[Netherlands]], where it aired on [[SBS6]]. Even though it has been out of production since 2004, the show is still screened in various places around the world such as [[Nigeria]] and in the [[Middle East]].

[[Garth Ancier]] and Gail Steinberg were the original executive producers. Michael Rourke moved into the executive producer role in 2002, during the 9th season, with Michelle Mazur, a former producer in the 1990s of the show, moved into the role of co-executive producer at the start of the 10th season. The theme was written by [[John Benitez]]. The show was produced by The Garth Ancier Company and was distributed by [[Columbia Pictures Television|Columbia Pictures Television Distribution]] (1993–1995), then by [[Columbia TriStar Television|Columbia TriStar Television Distribution]] (1995–2001), Columbia TriStar Domestic Television (2001–2002), and [[Sony Pictures Television]] (2002–2004). In the UK the series first appeared on Saturday October 1, 1994, on Channel 4 and continued until 2001.

==Reception==
Awards the show has garnered include the [[Gracie Allen Award]], PRISM Certificates & Commendations, and many more.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weinstein |first=Steve |date=1994-05-25 |title=Television: Ricki Lake's Emmy-nominated program has broken out of the pack by targeting young viewers. |work=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-25-ca-61973-story.html |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref>

===Critical response===
''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' listed it as one of the worst television shows of 1995.<ref>{{cite book|last=Leonard |first=John |title=Television: Worst |url={{Google books |SOECAAAAMBAJ |page=133 |plainurl=yes}} |page=133}}</ref>

===Cultural impact===
It has been referenced in popular music, such as in [[the Offspring]]'s "[[Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)]]" and the Femme Fatale remix of [[Britney Spears]]'s "[[Till the World Ends]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2018/12/the-strange-legacy-of-the-offsprings-pretty-fly-for-a-white-guy/ |title=The Strange Legacy of The Offspring's "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" |last=Bray |first=Ryan |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |date=December 6, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319103954/https://consequence.net/2018/12/the-strange-legacy-of-the-offsprings-pretty-fly-for-a-white-guy/ |archive-date=March 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/interviews/2011/05/09/catching-nicki-minaj |title=Catching Up with Nicki Minaj |last=Michelson |first=Noah |work=[[Out (magazine)|Out]] |date=May 9, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326114929/https://www.out.com/entertainment/interviews/2011/05/09/catching-nicki-minaj |archive-date=March 26, 2024}}</ref>

===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width:99%;"
|+ {{sronly|Awards and nominations}}
|-
! scope="col" style="width:12%;"| Award
! scope="col" style="width:2%;"| Year
! scope="col" style="width:22%;"| Category
! scope="col" style="width:27%;"| Nominee(s)
! scope="col" style="width:4%;"| Result
! scope="col" style="width:2%;" class="unsortable"| {{Ref heading|multi=no}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[Daytime Emmy Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 1994
| [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series|Outstanding Daytime Talk Series]]
| ''Ricki Lake''
| {{nom}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-25-ca-61973-story.html|url-access=limited|title=A Talk Show for the Ages (That's 18-34) : Television: Ricki Lake's Emmy-nominated program has broken out of the pack by targeting young viewers.|last=Weinstein|first=Steve|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=May 25, 1994|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403121416/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-05-25-ca-61973-story.html|archive-date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Excellence in Media's Silver Angel Award
| style="text-align:center;"| 2001
| National Television
| "Teen Pregnancy PSA Campaign"
| {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| 
|-
! scope="row"| [[Entertainment Industries Council|Prism Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2003
| Talk Show Series Episode
| "Ephedra: Miracle Supplement or Deadly Drug?"
| {{won}}
| style=text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/mac-er-shine-at-prism-nods-1117885877/ |title='Mac,' 'ER' shine at Prism nods |last=Grady |first=Breanne |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 8, 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311173941/https://variety.com/2003/scene/markets-festivals/mac-er-shine-at-prism-nods-1117885877/ |archive-date=March 11, 2023}}</ref>
|}

==Aftermath==
In 2000, Ricki Lake told her audience on ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'' that her contract was up for renewal in 2004. In September 2003, rumors began swirling about the show's demise as Lake was in serious talks to be cast in a 30-minute sitcom for CBS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking News - Development Update: September 24 &#124; TheFutonCritic.com |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2003/09/24/development-update-september-24-16181/6171/ |website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}</ref> On January 21, 2004, The Futon Critic reported that "the show's future remains up in the air" due to the sitcom,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Breaking News - 2004 Natpe Wrap-Up Report &#124; TheFutonCritic.com |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2004/01/21/2004-natpe-wrap-up-report-16396/6380/ |website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}</ref> and because Lake herself was not in attendance at the convention. In February 2004, the show was officially cancelled. Witnessing 9/11 from the rooftop of her New York City apartment, Lake has stated in several interviews that at that point she knew "I am getting out of my marriage, I am getting out of this show". On June 27, 2019, Ricki told Rupaul that two days after the attacks, she had to go back and do topics that, although still loving her show, didn't reflect what she wanted her legacy to be.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ricki Lake Does Not Miss Doing Her Talk Show | date=June 27, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecjXkiUUUjE  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/ecjXkiUUUjE| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Surprisingly, Sony Pictures didn't provide any comments when the show was cancelled, despite a large profit the show brought.

On October 9, 2005, ''[[Broadcasting & Cable]]'' magazine reported that Lake might return to do a new version of her show. A source said it would be a surprise if there was no deal struck by October 2005.<ref>[https://nypost.com/2005/10/11/ricki-talks-again/ "Ricki Talks Again"] from [[NY Post]] (October 11, 2005)</ref> If it were to have happened, it would have likely debuted in September 2006. Lake did not appear at the 2006 [[National Association of Television Program Executives|NATPE]] convention to pitch the proposed program to television stations in the United States in January, 2006, only furthering speculation that there would be no show. In a 2009 interview on [[CNN]], she was asked about what was next for her. Lake noted that a follow-up documentary was coming out, and that she was in talks to do another talk show,<ref>{{Cite news |title=CNN.com Video |work=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2009/11/03/ctw.connector.day.ricki.lake.cnn?iref=allsearch |access-date=May 22, 2010}}</ref> but this has yet to come to pass. In follow-up interviews since then such as Oprah in 2010, Lake has consistently said "never say never" about hosting a new show, but that she is happy working on other projects. However, in a February 2011 appearance on ''[[The View (talk show)|The View]]'', when asked about doing another show, Ricki said that she "misses the platform" and that when it comes to hosting another show, "that's certainly a possibility."

In March 2011 it was reported that three television studios, [[Disney–ABC Domestic Television]], [[Universal Media Studios]] and [[CBS Television Distribution]], were interested in bringing Lake back to talk television in 2012. This after Lake began appearing on various programs in which she expressed a desire to return to the genre.<ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/465251-EXCLUSIVE_Ricki_Lake_Poised_for_a_2012_Comeback.php "EXCLUSIVE: Ricki Lake Poised for a 2012 Comeback"] from [[Broadcasting & Cable]] (March 14, 2011)</ref> On April 20, 2011, Lake signed with [[20th Television]] to develop a subsequent [[The Ricki Lake Show (2012 talk show)|talk show]] for a September 2012 launch. It is described as having more of an ''Oprah''-like format than her previous series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Albiniak |first=Paige |date=April 20, 2011 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Ricki Lake Returning to Daytime |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/467085-EXCLUSIVE_Ricki_Lake_Returning_to_Daytime.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424115040/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/467085-EXCLUSIVE_Ricki_Lake_Returning_to_Daytime.php |archive-date=2011-04-24 |access-date=2021-09-06}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist|30em}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0106113|Ricki Lake}}
{{U.S. daytime talk shows}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ricki Lake}}
[[Category:1993 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2004 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American television talk shows]]
[[Category:2000s American television talk shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:1990s American LGBTQ-related television series]]
[[Category:Tabloid talk shows]]
[[Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Television]]
[[Category:2000s American LGBTQ-related television series]]